THERE'S NO BUSINESS LIKE SHOW BUSINESS

US, 1954, 117 minutes, Colour.
Ethel Merman, Donald O'Connor, Marilyn Monroe, Dan Dailey, Mitzi Gaynor, Johnny Ray, Hugh O'Brian.
Directed by Walter Lang.

There's No Business Like Show Business is an Irving Berlin musical with several popular songs, some of the big stars of the 50's and given the early Cinemascope treatment. It is typical showbiz material, except that the family is Catholic and has a son a priest in the form of singer Johnny Ray. Style is gaudy and loud, but enjoyable for those who like the musicals of the 50's.

1. Was this a good American musical, typical of the 50's musical? Was it an enjoyable musical?

2. It is considered a big, brash musical. Do you agree? How entertaining are musicals of this kind?

3. It presented a U.S. 'showbiz' family. Did it live up to the image of American show business, or was it acceptable as realistic? What do musicals like this show about Americans? About their belief in themselves? Were the characters real, conventional, or cliche characters?

4. The parents - as 'showbiz' entertainers, strong mother, subdued father, seeking out lost children, etc.? The children - Katie as fairly normal, Tim as being rebellious and leaving, Steve as being good and becoming a priest? Were the characters interesting?

5. Was this an interesting picture of the back-stage life of a popular family of entertainers? Why is this kind of story always popular with audiences - the reality behind the facade of glamour etc., curiosity?

6. Was there any insight into human values in the presentation of the family and its various struggles and attempts to find love for one another?

7. The character of Vickie - was this too strongly drawn for Marilyn Monroe as herself? Or did she fit into the narrative of the film?

8. The contribution of the songs - popular Irving Berlin songs, the style and personalities of each of the actors and actresses? The style of the songs and their choreography?

9. Why are such films worthwhile reflecting on?